The Empire

No fewer than 50 women who are former stalwarts and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket have decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), today, sighting undemocratic practices,  victimization and lack of a future for the APC in the State. The decampees who described the PDP in the State under the able watch of Gov. Udom Emmanuel as a party of the masses were received on behalf of State leadership of the party by the Esit Eket chapter chairman of PDP, Hon. Etang Nkanga, and the Honourable  Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare Dr. Ini Adiakpan, at the residence of the Commissioner, Ekpene Obo, in Esit Eket Local Government Area.  Highlighting their reasons for decamping, the once disgruntled but now happy defectors stated that they were happy to return to the PDP which, in their words, "still remains a religion in Akwa Ibom State". They maintained that for them to have relevance and political future as we move forward, it was necessary t

  By Vincent Akpan   Magistrates in Akwa Ibom State are now in the habit of struggling  seats  in mini buses and tricycles with ordinary members  of the public,especially during working days.  Findings revealed that In January,2020, the Judicial Service Commission appointed nine Magistrates into the Akwa lbom State Judiciary. As it has been the practice and standard,such appointments comes with several work tools, including official vehicles, which is always handed over to the new Magistrates shortly after the swearing in. By global best practice, the availability of official vehicles is one of the cardinal conditions that must be satisfied and ought to precede the appointment of Magistrates.The reason for this age long practice cannot be far fetched.Magistrates like Judges are an endangered species because of the peculiarity of their official functions.They come face to face with 'criminala' and other litigants in their various courts on a daily basis and cannot be expected to

  The Chairman Akwa Ibom State House Committee on Special Projects , Monitoring,Implementation and Aviation Development, Rt. Hon. Akiekan Uko has stated that the pace at ensuring that projects done by the State Governor are completed within timeline shows non compromise towards the Completion Agenda. Elder Uko made the assertion while leading members of the Committee on an Oversight function to the New Terminal Building of the Victor Attah International Airport , MRO and the International Worship Centre recently. "we as a committee are impressed by the effort of His Excellency the Governor  and all that he has done for Akwa Ibom people.  "as the representatives of the people, we are the ones to come and see things for ourselves and go to tell the people we represent.  "We have seen, we don't need to ask questions. Starting from the MRO, that one is 95% completed. The International Wing of the Victor Attah international Airport and many other structures are moving at

By Ini Adiakpan, PhD It cannot be over-emphasized the benevolence and commitment Governor Udom Emmanuel has shown in the matter of women inclusion in governance. Arguably, record shows that no Governor or State in the country comes close to matching the standard that Governor Udom Emmanuel has set.  This, of course, cannot be surprising. Recall that during his governorship electioneering campaigns both in 2015 and 2019, the Governor had vented his displeasure against the societal stereotypes and stigmatization women in the State had been made to pass through, whether in the family, society, the corporate world and in government.  As such, one of his memorable promises to women was that when he assumes office as Governor, there was going to be a paradigm shift and a rewriting of history. As a man of his words, the Governor has in a way, unprecedented in the history of governance in the State, fulfilled that promise and raised the bar so high that whoever shall come after him will have t

  By Edet Okpo Stakeholders and Members of Albinism Association of Nigeria have expressed strong commendations and passed a vote of confidence on Governor Udom Emmanuel for prioritizing the healthcare needs of Akwa Ibom citizenry in general and also  enhancing the welfare of their members in the State.  They also described Governor Udom Emmanuel as a reference point in quality and exemplary leadership and public Service in Nigeria, while scoring his administration high in the area of aviation development, Infrastructural renaissance, job creation, quality education and industrialization which have made the State an emerging industrial hub in the African-sub region. Speaking at the 2022 International Albinism Awareness Day Celebration in Uyo, today, the CEO/ Founder of Albino Foundation and President, Albinism Association of Nigeria(AAN), Mr. Jake Epelle, disclosed that the choice of Akwa Ibom State to mark the global event was informed by the relatively peaceful and  excellent  ambienc

Ahead of the upcoming cerebration of the International Albinism Awareness Day to be held globally on June 13, 2022, the Akwa Ibom State Government  says it has disassociated itself from Jake Epelle's  event and bars him and his National body from hosting the cerebration in the State because of potential negative implications necessitated by series of petitions from Stakeholders and Members of the Organisation. The State government therefore sternly warned the CEO/Founder of The Albino Foundation (TAF) and President, The Albinism Association of Nigeria, Mr. Jakes Epelle, against taking government’s well communicated injunction for granted by going ahead with the planned celebration in the State, charging security agencies to be on red alert to checkmate possible breach of law and order, as well as stakeholders and the international community to be aware of the development. This was part of the State government’s position on the matter as contained in a press statement issued by the

  On June 10, 2019, when Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, a two-term lawmaker, emerged as the 12th Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly through a consensus arrangement, all eyes were hooked on him; some to watch him fail and others to urge him on to success. As practically tough as it is to lead a group of equal persons with independent minds to achieve a common goal, Rt. Hon. Bassey, in the last three years, has made it look easy.   Upon resumption, the 7th Assembly hit the ground running with the mission to offer effective representation through six core values which include; Accountability, Inclusiveness, Transparency, Integrity, Professionalism and Respect. These values are perceived in the passing of people-oriented bills into laws.    The Assembly has fared well with indelible imprints in the last three years.  In security, the Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey-led 7th Assembly has exercised effective oversight over the security architecture in the state and has interfaced regularly wi